This article is about the fire alarm system responses to a fire situation. So I will walk you through how a security system reacts when a fire alarm occurs.
A fire alarm system is a system that sounds sirens in case of fire in a building. its components are different sensors. Such as, smoke detectors, heat detectors. In addition, of manual pull stations.
Trigger sirens
Smoke and heat detectors and manual stations send alarms to the main panel. The panel triggers sirens to warn the occupants of the building.
Regulations require to have sirens installed all around the premises. Visible strobes are also mandatory in noisy areas to prevent for evacuation.
Send signals to the monitoring station
The panel instantly sends signals to the central monitoring station. Then the monitoring station dispatches the firefighters, in addition to warning the keyholder.
Read our post about monitoring central stations
Unlock the doors
The emergency exit doors must unlock. This is thanks to Fail Secure lock devices. Their principle is that the device unlocks when it is not powered.
Triggering of sprinkler systems
When it reaches a certain degree, the heat triggers the sprinkler’s head above. Therefore, it sprays the surface to extinguish the fire.
Then, the stagnant water in the pipes drains, consequently, the city water flows in increasing the flow. As we know, the fire alarm system supervises the water flow. So that generates an alarm.
Read more about fire Sprinklers system monitoring
Elevators immobilized on the first floor
Elevators could be very dangerous in case of fire. Not only they could be traps if they are prey to flames, but elevator shafts can fill with smoke and suffocate people.
Hence, the idea of stopping the elevators to prevent people from using them.
Prevent the spread of smoke
Preventing the spread of smoke is a function that the security system must perform. This happens by:
- Closing fire doors and keeping them closed
- Stopping ventilation system
- Keeping the doors that lead to the stairs unlocked but closed
- Pressurizing stairwells
Closing fire doors
Fire doors are installed between two large parts of a building. Their role is to prevent fires from spreading and to stop the spread of smoke and toxic gases.
They are held open with a magnetic holder device. When a fire alarm occurs, the holder device releases the door. So it closes to stop the spread of smoke and toxic gas.
Stopping ventilation systems
Ventilation would spread smoke and toxic gases into a building in the event of a fire. Therefore, it must be stopped right away as the fire alarm occurs.
Unlocking the doors leading to stairs but keeping them closed
A person has to turn the handle to open a door leading to the stairs. The principle is to prevent the smoke pressure from pushing the door and opening it. The stairs should not be filled with smoke to allow people to escape.
Pressurizing stairwells
This prevents smoke from entering to stairwells. remember, they must be clean and allow people to escape.
Conclusion
The first aim of a fire alarm system is to save lives. We saw in the article the security system responses to a fire alarm. Here is how you have to react.: Very important to keep in mind that you should:
- Stay calm in a case of fire alarm.
- Immediately evacuate the building.
- Never go back to retrieve things.
- Stay away and do not obstruct entrances and exits in order to not hamper the firefighters.
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